Early Evening Accident

January 4, 2012

This occupied by a Shady Point couple struck a horse while traveling southbound on Hwy. 59 earlier this evening.

Members of the Poteau Police Department along with Poteau and Shady Point Fire Departments and LeFlore County EMS were called the the scene of a serious one vehicle accident just north of Poteau on State Highway 59 this evening shortly after 6 p.m. According to witnesses at the scene the accident occurred when a 16-year-old female was thrown from her horse near the Arena Steakhouse. The horse reportedly then ran from the Arena to Hwy. 59 and into traffic where it was struck by a vehicle driven by a Shady Point man traveling southbound towards Poteau.
The man and his wife were pinned in the vehicle for more than 45 minutes as emergency workers used the jaws of life to free them. The driver and his wife, who's names have not yet been released were transported to an area hospital with serious injuries. The horse was killed upon impact and the rider appeared to be uninjured.